Folding door construction

ABSTRACT

A partition structure, such as a folding door, is made up of a plurality of panels, longitudinally suspended from a track, and hinged together by integral portions thereof. The panels, which are hollow, are formed of a plastic material and have central integral internal cores which serve as expansion joints, the cores additionally serving as means for attaching panel hanger or supporting elements, the latter in certain instances having headed ends adapted to slide in the track.

[111 3,799,237 Mar. 26, 1974 Harris Auerhaan 160/84 H FOLDING DOOR CONSTRUCTION Inventor: Ivan Proserpi, Via Turat 13, Milan,

Italy FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22] Filed: Feb. 24, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 229,066 Primary Examiner-Peter M. Caun Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Synnestvedt & Lechner Foreign Application Priority Data ABSTRACT A partition structure, such as a folding door, is made Feb. 27, 1971 21 150/71 52 us. 160/199, 160/232, 160/235 p of a plurality of p longitudinally Suspended 511 int. 1205a 15/26 from a track, and hinged together by integral Portions thereof. The panels, which are hollow, are formed of a [58] Field of Search 160/84, 183, 199, 206,

160/231 11 231 A, 232 235 23 plastic material and have central integral internal cores which serve as expansion joints, the cores additionally serving as means for attaching panel hanger or References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS supporting elements, the latter in certain instances having headed ends adapted to slide in the track.

3,331,427 Colombo.1.............1............ 160/206 3,359,594 Pastoor 160/235 3 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures FIG. 3

PATENTHIIARZS EM SHEEI 2 (IF 3 FIG. 7

PATENTEDIARZG N74 SHEET 3 0F 3 FIG. 8

FIG.

FIG. 9

FOLDING DOOR CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to folding partition structures such as doors of a generally conventional type formed of a plurality of panels hingedly connected together at their adjacent edges, the panels, or certain of them, being suspended from an overhead track by slidable pins or other hanger bracket elements. In the design of such partition structures, an important consideration is the construction of the means by which fixed and movable parts are secured together. Another consideration is the manner of connection of the suspension or hanger brackets to their respective panels. A final problem requiring solution is the provision of a rapid and facile way of assembling the panels to form the partition structure without requiring special tools, equipment or materials. Heretofore, entirely satisfactory so-' lutions have not been found for the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A principal object of the invention is the provision of a partition structure, such as a door, composed of a plurality of individual panels hingedly secured together, the construction providing adequate solutions to the problems mentioned above.

A more particular object of the invention is the provision of a partition structure composed of a plurality of individual panels suitably formed of plastic material, the adjacent edges of each pair of panels having integral hinge structures and there being improved means for suspending the panels from an overlying track.

In accordance with the invention, the individual panels making up the partition or door are suitably composed of plastic material. The longitudinal edges of the panels have longitudinally-extending hinge elements in the form of interfitting hook portions whereby the panels may be assembled into the door structure by longitudinally sliding the hinge portion of each succeeding panel into the hinge portion of a preceding panel. The individual panels, which are of hollow construction, each include a longitudinally-extending rib or core structure which reinforces the panel and also serves as an expansion joint. In addition, the core structures serve as the means to which the brackets, from which the panels are suspended from an overlying track of conventional construction, are secured.

The above-mentioned and other features of the invention and the advantages thereof will become apparent from the following more detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view, with parts in section, of an embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view ofa third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view on an enlarged scale of the parts making up the suspension means for certain of the panel members constituting the door structure;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating the suspension system for certain other panels making up the door structure;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrating the suspension system for certain other elements of the door structure;

FIG. 8 is a top plan detail view on a further enlarged scale of the rib or core structure employed foi the individual panels;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, of a partition structure of the invention employed as a door closure; and

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line I010 of FIG. 9 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring particularly to FIG. 1, the partition structure, such as a door, basically comprises an assembly of relatively wide panels PI forming the major portion of the structure, relatively narrow end panels P2 at the opposite edges of the major portion, and a runner panel P3. The several panels are hingedly connected together by integrally-formed interlocking hook portions II similar to those employed in the construction of plastic shutters, the hook portions extending for the full length of the panels. As will be recognized, the panels may be readily assembled into a partition or door structure prior to their being positioned in the door or other opening by aligning the hook portion of one panel with the opening defined by the hook portion of the panel which is to become the adjacent panel and sliding the first panel longitudinally with its hook portion received in the hook portion of the second panel. Such arrangement has proved to be of practical advantageas it provides for easy assembly and eliminates the need of individual hinges. Due to the interlocking character of the hook portions, infiltration of light through the partition or door is prevented.

A narrow panel P2 at one side of the assembly, the lefthand end as shown in FIG. I, is hingedly secured to the wall or door jamb by suitable means. As shown, the panel P2 is secured by having its hook portion 11 at the outer edge of the panel interengaged with a hook portion of a vertically-extending clip element P5 which has its legs resiliently engaged within a slot defined by inwardly-extending flanges of a jamb member P4 secured to the wall as by screws penetrating a suitable insert mounted in the wall structure. The jamb member, in the construction illustrated in FIG. I, also holds in place a framing element P6.

The narrow panel P2 at the opposite side of the door or partition structure is hingedly connected to the runner panel P3 by having its hook portion 11 in interfitting engagement with a similar hook portion of the runner panel. Runner panel P3 has a nose portion adapted to be received with a frictional fit, when the partition is closed, between the flanges of a jamb member P4 of the same construction and similarly attached as the jamb member P4 at the opposite side of the partition. Alternatively, runner panel P3 can be designed to be secured to jamb member P4 by other suitable means, such as with magnets. Runner panel P3 is provided with handles 12 on opposite sides thereof for manipulation of the door or partition structure in the opening and closing operations thereof.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1 and to 8 inclusive, each of the panels P1 and P2 and runner panel P3 is provided with an extruded internal rib or core 3 extending longitudinally for the height of the panel and positioned midway of its width. The cores 3, which are integral with the face elements of the panels, serve as expansion joints and also perform other functions, as will be described. As illustrated particularly in FIG. 8, the cores 3 are of fluted configuration in cross-section and each includes a plurality of internally-projecting resilient ribs 4.

'A hanger or suspension member A1 may be employed for each of the panels Pl. As shown particularly in FIG. 5, member AI has an enlarged circular head portion or suspension element to be received in a slotted track 11 (see FIG. 10) as is conventional in the suspension of panels of the type disclosed herein. Head 10 is connected by an intermediate shank portion, adapted to project through the slot of the track, to a downwardly-projecting bifurcated portion defining wings I and 2, each of an internal shape to conform to an associated external face of the fluted core 3. Each suspension member A1 is mounted on its associated core by pressing it downwardly thereon. It is then secured to the core by a stud or screw A3 which penetrates the interior of the core and is of such diameter in relation to the core that it interlocks with the resilient ribs thereof. The stud or screw-may be turned or hammered into its suspension-member-securing position.

Panel P2, at the left-hand side of the assembly as viewed in FIG. 1, rather than being supported directly from the track, is supported by the adjacent panel P1 and the clip element P4, and similarly the panel P2 at the opposite side of the assembly is supported by the adjacent panel P1 and runner panel P3. For this purpose (see FIG. 7), a winged plate element A4 is employed for each of the panels P2 of FIG. 1, each of the winged elements having intermediate portions which project into the hollow interior of the panel with which it is associated on opposite sides of the panel core 3. The element A4 also has projecting ends or wings constructed to overlie the end of the hook element of an adjacent panel and of the clip element P5, with respect to the panel P2 at the left end of the assembly, as viewed in FIG. I, and of an adjacent panel P1 and the runner panel P3 with respect to the panel P2 at the other end of the assembly. The plate element A4 is secured in position on the upper end of each panel P2 by a stud or screw corresponding to the screw A3 of FIG. 5 which is threaded or driven into the core 3, the threads of the screw forming an interlocking connection with the ribs 4, as previously noted.

The runner panel P3, attached to the right-hand end of the assembly as viewed in FIG. I, is also suspended from the track, but the suspension means is of a construction to prevent rotation of the runner panel. Referring particularly to FIG. 6, for this purpose the suspension member A2 has a head 10' of elongated configuration to provide two points of contact on each side with the side rails of the track. The suspension member also has wings I and 2' having internal faces, each conforming to an associated external side of the core 3 of the runner panel similarly as in the construction shown in FIG. 5, the wings, however, being extended, as compared to the wings I and 2 of the construction of FIG. 5, to prevent rotation of the runner panel with respect to the hanger. A plate 8 is suitably provided between wings I and 2 and the head 10', the plate being adapted to rest upon the upper end of the runner panel. The suspension element is secured to the runner panel P3 similarly as the suspension members in the construction shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, namely by a screw or stud A3 which penetrates the interior of the core and interlocks with the ribs 4 thereof.

It is to be understood that while the use of a suspension member of the type of member A4 to support a panel has been described only in connection with the narrow panels P2, the same type of suspension member, suitably dimensioned for the purpose, may be employed to support one or more of the panels Pl as, for example, alternate panels P1 from adjacent panels P1 rather than suspending them directly from the overlying track.

Referring now to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 inclusive, the individual panels, insofar as their hinge structures, the suspension members employed therewith and other elements of the construction are concerned, are the same as in the embodiment previously described except where specifically noted below to the contrary. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the construction is identical to that of FIG. 1 except that the intermediate panels P7 are of approximately twice the width of the intermediate panels P1 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 and the end panels are of the same width as the intermediate panels P1 of the FIG. I embodiment. In the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, constructions are employed in which the door or partition assemblies are divided into two halves or sections and which are, in closing the door or partition, brought together suitably at a central point. For this purpose, one of the sections of each assembly, the right-hand section as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, is provided with the runner P3 and the other section of each assembly is provided at its outer end with a member corresponding to the jamb member P4 of the embodiment of FIG. 4. Also, both sections are provided with manipulating handles corresponding to the handles 12 of FIG. 1 whereby the partition, such as a door, may be closed by pulling on both sections at once to bring the sections together at a median point. The embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4 also employ a simplified version of the member P4 of FIG. 1. In these instances, the outer ends of both of the two sections are secured to the wall or door jambs. As will be noted, the members corresponding to the members P4 are mounted directly on the door jambs or the like without the accompanying framing structure P6 shown in FIG. 1. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 differ from each other to the same extent that the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 differ from each other. That is, relatively wide panels corresponding to panels P7 are employed for the major portions of the door sections and panels of the width of panels P1 are employed as the end panels for each of the sections.

Although certain embodiments of the invention have been shown in the drawings and described in the specification, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereof, is capable of modification, and can be rearranged without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

I. A folding partition structure adapted to be supported from an overhead track comprising an assembly of individual hollow panels having hinge elements formed at longitudinal edges thereof with the hinge elements of adjacent panels in interfitting but relatively rotatable engagement with each other, said panels also each having an internal longitudinally-extending hollow core structure located substantially centrally of the interior of the panel, and spaced ones of said panels having panel hanger means secured to said core structure including suspension elements adapted to be received in said overhead track and a panel intermediate said spaced panels having means comprising a plate element secured to the core structure thereof and extending in opposite directions therefrom and in overlying relationship to portions of said spaced panels for suspending it from said adjacent spaced panels.

2. A folding partition structure adapted to be supported from an overhead track comprising an assembly of individual hollow panels having hinge elements formed at longitudinal edges thereof with the hinge elements of adjacent panels in interfitting, relatively rotatable engagement with each other, said panels each having an internal longitudinally-extending hollow fluted core structure located substantially centrally of the interior of the panel, and panel hanger means secured to said core structure of certain of said panels, said panel hanger means including suspension elements adapted to be received in said overhead track and having a bifurcated portion defining extending wings associated with and supporting opposite sides of said core and a securing element penetrating said core and in interlocking engagement with the flutes thereof.

3. A folding partition structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said wings defined by said bifurcated portions and extending on opposite sides of said core have internal shapes conforming to theexternal core faces with which they are associated.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,799,237 Dated March 26, 197M Inventor(s) Ivan Proserpi It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Title page at [76] "Via Turat 13" should read -Via Turati 3--.

Column 1, line A? "from" should read by--.

Column 3, line 16 "11" should read --l3-.

Column A, lines 58-63 Lines 58-63 should be cancelled.

Fig. 10 of Drawings "12" should read --l3-.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of May 1975.

(SEAL) Attest;

' RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN FORM P0-1n50 (10- 9) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 1.5. GOVERNMENY PRINTING OFFICE 2 '99 0-366-334 

1. A folding partition structure adapted to be supported from an overhead track comprising an assembly of individual hollow panels having hinge elements formed at longitudinal edges thereof with the hinge elements of adjacent panels in interfitting but relatively rotatable engagement with each other, said panels also each having an internal longitudinally-extending hollow core structure located substantially centrally of the interior of the panel, and spaced ones of said panels having panel hanger means secured to said core structure including suspension elements adapted to be received in said overhead track and a panel intermediate said spaced panels having means comprising a plate element secured to the core structure thereof and extending in opposite directions therefrom and in overlying relationship to portions of said spaced panels for suspending it from said adjacent spaced panels.
 2. A folding partition structure adapted to be supported from an overhead track comprising an assembly of individual hollow panels having hinge elements formed at longitudinal edges thereof with the hinge elements of adjacent panels in interfitting, relatively rotatable engagement with each other, said panels each having an internal longitudinally-extending hollow fluted core structure located substantially centrally of the interior of the panel, and panel hanger means secured to said core structure of certain of said panels, said panel hanger means including suspension elements adapted to be received in said overhead track and having a bifurcated portion defining extending wings associated with and supporting opposite sides of said core and a securing element penetratIng said core and in interlocking engagement with the flutes thereof.
 3. A folding partition structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said wings defined by said bifurcated portions and extending on opposite sides of said core have internal shapes conforming to the external core faces with which they are associated. 